EPR systems for packaging are an established environmental policy instrument, contributing to preventing negative impacts from plastic and packaging waste on the environment. EPR as a regulating tool emerged in the late 1980s and has since been implemented in most European member states and in many other countries. EPR is also a potential approach for developing and emerging economies that face increasing amounts of packaging waste, environmental pollution, and marine littering through unmanaged packaging wastes. EPR involves producers in the management and financing of packaging wastes. It is based on the polluter pays principle, making companies that put packaged products on the market responsible for the packages throughout their whole lifecycle, including waste management. This contributes to enhancing, organizing, and financing waste management and lessens the pressure on public waste management services.